People with dry skin know that the arrival of winter means the beginning of a uphill battle. Of course this is something you have to deal with all year round but the chillier weather tends to aggravate already dehydrated skin.
To prevent your skin from feeling dry, flaky, and uncomfortable by the end of the day, you need a skin care routine that helps it hold onto moisture.
We’ve put together a skincare routine that will help you achieve and maintain healthy balanced skin.
Dehydrated skin is often confused for dry skin, as they have overlapping symptoms. However, dry skin is a skin type that’s due to a lack of natural oils while dehydrated skin is a temporary condition resulting from water loss.
It’s possible for those with oily skin to have dehydrated skin. So it’s very important to keep in mind that the skincare routine we’re about to share for dry skin may not be fitting for anyone who is dealing with dehydration, especially if you have oily skin.
SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR DRY SKIN
Irrespective of skin type everyone should have a proper skincare routine for both nighttime and daytime.
MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE
- Cleanse your face
This is the first thing you should do in the morning. For dry skin you need to use a mild, gentle, hydrating cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of much needed moisture.
2. Apply serum
Serums pack a punch of concentrated ingredients, In the morning since you will be stepping out and your skin needs to be protected from environmental factors, you need to apply serum. Serums contain a high concentration of antioxidants that prevent damage caused by harmful free radicals.
3. Moisturize your skin
Immediately after washing your face, massage it with a moisturizer. This is the most crucial step in caring for dry skin. Always apply moisturizer within 3 minutes of washing your face and on damp skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated throughout the day.To give your skin the hydration it needs, pick a moisturizer with ceramides, b vitamins glycerin, or dimethicone. “Dry skin often needs thicker moisturizer; choose a non-comedogenic or oil-free formulation.
4. Apply Sunscreen
Once you have moisturized your skin, it is time to layer it with sun protection. You must never miss this step. Sun protection is crucial for preventing UV damage and keeping your skin healthy. When picking a product, always go for something that has at least SPF 30. Also, sun protection should never stop with just applying sunscreen. No matter the season, you need to keep your skin safe from the environment. Consider a serum-like formula that won’t give you a streaky white finish.
NIGHTTIME SKINCARE ROUTINE
- Remove the dirt and make-up
Taking off your makeup is essential before you start your night-time routine. You may use an oil-based cleanser or a cleansing oil to remove your makeup. This helps thoroughly dissolve the makeup and also replenishes your dry skin before you wash it.
2. Cleanse your face
Once you remove your makeup, you need to wash your face. Use a gentle water-based cleanser to wash your face and remove all traces of dirt.
3. Exfoliate your skin
Do this step no more than twice a week. Exfoliating or scrubbing helps get rid of dead skin cells and makes your skin smooth and soft. Always use a moisturizing face scrub or exfoliator to clean your face.
4. Face Mask
To give you skin even more moisture, incorporate face masks into your regimen. “Choose hydrating masks with ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, hyaluronic acid that hydrate and antioxidants like green tea and vitamin E,
5. Hydrate Your Skin with face mists
Avoid using astringent lotions. Instead, use a toning mist on your face. Mists help keep your skin hydrated and prepare it to absorb other skin care products.
6. Apply Hydrating serum
Serums contain a high concentration of active ingredients that replenish your skin and keep it healthy. If you have dry skin, you may try serums with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. They will refresh your skin and keep it soft. You may use the serums mentioned under the daytime skin care routine.
7. Apply Night mask
A good-quality moisturizing night cream can help repair and help your skin recover while you sleep. You need to choose a night cream based on your preferences – anti-aging, anti-pigmentation, or other requirements.
SKINCARE MISTAKES TO AVOID IF YOU HAVE DRY SKIN.
- Cleansing your face too often
Cleansing your face too often strips away all the moisture from your skin. Wash your face just twice a day with a cleanser. If you feel the need to wash your face multiple times a day, simply splash plain water on it.
2. Using a harsh cleanser
Not all cleansers are suitable for all skin types. Stop picking just any random cleanser from the shelf based on how it smells or its texture. Get the right cleanser for your skin type. Otherwise, it may dry out your skin.
3. Using most Alcohol based products
Alcohol in skincare isn’t always a bad thing. For instance, fatty alcohols such as cetearyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol act as emulsifiers and allow your skin to retain moisture. However, you’ll want to avoid products that have either denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or benzyl alcohol. These are meant to help skincare products penetrate your skin more effectively but often at the cost of making your skin drier and more prone to breakouts.
4. Not Exfoliating your skin
You need to get rid of the dead skin cells on your face. Otherwise, the cells will accumulate on your skin, making it look dull, dry, and flaky. Hence, stop avoiding the scrub. Apply it gently and avoid aggressive rubbing.
5. Wearing matte make-up
Even if you follow a strict skin care routine, the wrong makeup can make your skin look dry, patchy, and cakey. Avoid using matte makeup if you have dry skin. Pick liquid products that create a dewy finish.
In addition to procuring the right skincare products, eating healthy make sure you’re cultivating good habits to keep your skin healthy and moisturized.